In Florida, Driving Under the Influence (DUI) can be a misdemeanor or a felony depending on how many prior offenses you have. For example, if this is your first offense, or you only have one prior DUI, it will be a misdemeanor.
If you are charged with your third DUI within 10 years of your previous conviction, or if this is your 4th or subsequent offense, it is a felony.
To prove the crime of Driving Under the Influence, the State must prove the following two elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
They include, but are not limited to, your ability to:
Many people are surprised to learn that you don't have to be driving a car or even be behind the wheel to be guilty of DUI. If you are merely in actual physical control of the vehicle, you can be arrest.
Actual physical control means you are physically in or on the vehicle and have the capability to operate the vehicle, regardless of whether you are actually operating the vehicle at the time. For example, you could be entering your car with the keys to be guilty according to the law.
In you are arrested for DUI, law enforcement will ask you to submit to a breath or blood test to confirm your guilt. They will read you a statement called implied consent, which, in part, will advise that your refusal to submit to testing will result in your driver's license being suspended.
If you agree to take the test, law enforcement will ask you to provide two breath samples into a machine. This machine will calculate your BAC and print out a report. The results on this test can make or break your case.